Singapore, Thailand seek to boost economic cooperation

Singapore's and Thailand's leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the digital economy and renewable energy during an official visit by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to the Republic on Thursday.

- Joyce Lim

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mr Srettha also agreed on the need for close cooperation within Asean, especially on initiatives like a power integration project, "which will serve as an important pathfinder to an Asean power grid", Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement.

Mr Srettha, 61, was on his first visit to Singapore since taking office in August, and was here for a day as part of a regional tour.

During an official lunch hosted by PM Lee at the Istana, both leaders lauded the historical friendship between the two countries, as symbolised by a bronze elephant statue from Thailand's King Chulalongkorn, which still stands outside Singapore's Old Parliament House.

PM Lee said the two countries now have close ties across many sectors, including the economy, defence and people-to-people relations.

Economic relations between the two countries are substantial, he said, with Singapore and Thailand ranking among each other's top 10 largest trading partners in 2022.